• Designing a 3-Point Adaptive Breast Pouch: A Technical Approach to Post-Mastectomy Comfort

    Sp4m • 09/05/2024 at 16:11 • 0 comments

    Problem Statement:

    Mastectomy patients face physical discomfort and often need functional solutions that not only support their recovery but also empower their lifestyle afterwards. Existing solutions, such as bras with prosthetic pockets and compression garments, primarily focus on the recovery phase. I want to create an adaptable garment that can support therapeutic needs, while also providing a practical solution to help people carry everyday essentials like a phone, wallet and keys. The garment should integrate seamlessly into daily life, whether worn discreetly under clothing or confidently as an outer layer.

    Statement of Work:

    The goal of this project is to design and develop a 3-point adaptive breast pouch that offers flexibility, comfort, and utility for post-mastectomy individuals, and anyone looking for a practical breast-alternative, prosthetic or replacement. This pouch will be integrated into a soft, wearable harness system that can be customized with interchangeable inserts to serve various functional purposes, such as balancing body weight, holding small items, or delivering therapeutic warmth or cooling. The design will prioritize user comfort, adaptability, and aesthetic discretion, ensuring the final product is wearable both under and over clothing, and accessible for all.

    The project will involve:

    1. Research into materials that ensure comfort and durability for sensitive skin and post-surgical areas.
    2. Development of a flexible pocket design that can accommodate multiple inserts.
    3. Prototyping and testing the harness system with real users to ensure comfort and utility.
    4. Documentation and open-source sharing of the design process for others to replicate or adapt.

  • Research: What solutions already exist?

    Sp4m • 09/05/2024 at 15:50 • 0 comments

    It's often more practical—and less expensive—to purchase an existing solution than to create something new. Before diving into a new project, I conduct preliminary research into the problem and explore available solutions.

    Mastectomy Bras These are primarily designed to support recovery while blending with conventional fashion. However, they are not intended for use as outerwear or to carry practical, everyday items. Reboundwear Women's Tops

    Utility Vests / Shoulder Holsters While these are built for everyday practicality, they often have a military-inspired, gender-neutral aesthetic. My goal is to design a gender-affirming alternative that offers both functionality and evokes the symbolism of a practical, empowering replacement for a breast. Urban Tool Shoulder Holsters

    Breast Inserts Breast inserts, or breast forms, are available in a range of materials and designs, but they generally focus on aesthetic purposes or post-surgical comfort, without incorporating practical functionality like carrying items. Typically made of fabric or silicone, there are also FDM solutions available for prototype engineering. Takposha's Printable Breast Form